NEW SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO PRESENT CREDENTIALS

Dili, 17 May 2004
H.E. President Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will receive the letter of credentials from the new Swedish Ambassador to Timor-Leste, H.E. Mr. Lennart Linner at 9am tomorrow at the Palace of the Ashes in Dili. Ambassador Linner replaces the previous Swedish Ambassador to Timor-Leste, H.E. Mr. Harald Sandberg.

Since 1999, Sweden, through its aid agency SIDA, has focused its assistance to Timor-Leste in the areas of health, agriculture, human rights and reconciliation, civil society, capacity development, including the provision of key advisors to the Government of Timor-Leste. In addition to these, Sweden also contributes direct budgetary support to the Timorese Government.

“I am pleased to be receiving Ambassador Linner and welcome him to Timor-Leste. Sweden has always been supportive of Timor-Leste and has contributed significantly to our reconstruction and development process. In January this year, I had the pleasure of meeting with H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, with Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson and other senior Ministers, who all re-affirmed Sweden’s long-term commitment to assisting Timor-Leste. I look forward to building on this goodwill and cooperation that exists between our two countries, for the well-being and development of our people”, stated President Xanana Gusmão.